In global development, few professionals have seen the system from as many vantage points as Hermina Johnny. A former United Nations specialist in partnerships, sustainable development, and gender equality, Johnny built her career navigating complex institutions designed to shape the future.

But it was a simple, recurring question—one she found herself asking in meeting after meeting—that ultimately changed her path:

Where are the women and youth?

“I sat in rooms focused on solutions for women and young people,” Johnny says. “Yet they were often missing from the decision-making spaces themselves.”

That disconnect—between intention and inclusion—became the catalyst for Aspire Artemis Foundation, the global nonprofit she founded to bridge the gap between policy and access.

From Global Frameworks To Ground-Level Impact

Johnny’s work across the UN system, the European Parliament, and international organizations placed her at the center of high-level coordination on issues ranging from climate change to human rights.

Her mandate was clear: build partnerships and design solutions.

But over time, she began to see a structural flaw.

“Too much of the system is built around conversation,” she says. “Not enough is built around access.”

Despite widespread commitments to gender equality—including global targets for parity by 2030—Johnny observed that representation in leadership remains uneven, particularly for women and youth from underserved communities.

Her response wasn’t to push for incremental reform—it was to build a parallel pathway.

Building A Pipeline, Not Just A Platform

Aspire Artemis Foundation operates at the intersection of education, workforce development, and innovation—with a focus on underserved youth, especially girls and communities across the Global South.

Its mission is both ambitious and pragmatic: equip, empower, and educate the next generation of leaders in a digital economy that is rapidly leaving many behind.

“At Aspire Artemis, we don’t just talk about opportunity—we structure it,” Johnny explains.

The organization delivers programming across STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics), combining technical training with mentorship, leadership development, and real-world exposure. Its initiatives range from AI and digital literacy to entrepreneurship, policy engagement, and cultural innovation.

Central to its model is what Johnny calls the EMI framework—Educate, Mentor, Intern—a three-part system designed to move young people from potential to placement.

“We’re not just preparing young people to participate in the future,” she says. “We’re preparing them to shape it.”

The Mentorship Gap—and Why It Matters

One of Johnny’s key insights is that talent is universal—but access is not.

“Mentorship is one of the most underestimated drivers of success,” she says. “It’s often the difference between someone seeing a possibility and actually achieving it.”

For many young people, particularly in underserved communities, that access is limited or nonexistent.

“In places where youth unemployment is high, internships and unpaid opportunities are not realistic options,” she notes. “You can’t build a career pathway if you’re focused on survival.”

Aspire Artemis addresses this gap by connecting young people with global mentors, creating pipelines into industries where representation has historically been low.

The model is already showing results—from students gaining international exposure to young leaders advancing into professional roles and leadership positions.

Rethinking Women’s Leadership In The Digital Economy

Johnny is particularly focused on the future of work—and who gets left out of it.

In the tech sector, the disparities are stark: only 2% of venture capital funding goes to women-led startups, with even fewer resources reaching women in developing markets.

“That’s not a pipeline problem—it’s an access problem,” Johnny says.

Her solution is to rethink how talent is identified, trained, and supported—starting earlier and scaling faster.

Aspire Artemis integrates arts and creativity into STEM, promoting a more holistic approach to innovation—one that prioritizes emotional intelligence, cultural awareness, and human-centered design.

“The future of technology isn’t just about code,” she says. “It’s about context. It’s about who is building—and who it’s being built for.”

Why Representation Requires Action—Not Rhetoric

While global conversations around diversity and inclusion have gained traction, Johnny is clear-eyed about what’s still missing.

“We’ve moved past awareness,” she says. “Now it’s about execution.”

That includes measurable commitments to representation across business, government, and industry—and a broader cultural shift in how leadership is defined.

She also emphasizes the role of men in accelerating change.

“The most effective progress happens when men are active participants in advancing gender equality—not just observers.”

A Founder’s Mindset: Resilience, Speed And Vision

Johnny’s leadership style reflects the environments she’s worked in: fast-moving, high-pressure, and outcome-driven.

Her guiding principle?

“Think of yourself as falling into oncoming traffic—get up, dust yourself off, and move forward at great speed.”

It’s a mindset rooted in resilience—but also urgency.

In a world shaped by rapid technological change, Johnny believes the cost of inaction is too high.

“We can’t afford to wait for systems to evolve,” she says. “We have to build new ones.”

The Bigger Picture: Inclusive Innovation At Scale

With a growing global network of partners spanning governments, corporations, and multilateral institutions, Aspire Artemis is scaling its impact while maintaining a focused mission: create equitable access to opportunity in the digital age.

Its flagship initiatives—including high-level summits held during the United Nations General Assembly—bring together policymakers, technologists, and young leaders to drive cross-sector collaboration.

But for Johnny, the real measure of success isn’t attendance—it’s outcomes.

“We’re creating pathways,” she says. “Real, tangible pathways for people who have historically been excluded from them.”

The Bottom Line

Hermina Johnny isn’t just building an organization—she’s building infrastructure for inclusion.

Her work sits at a critical intersection: where global policy meets local reality, and where the future of work will be defined not just by innovation—but by who has access to it.

“We don’t just want young people to have a seat at the table,” she says.
“We want them to build the table.”

About Hermina Johnny

Hermina Johnny is a humanitarian and global development leader specializing in gender equality, human rights, and sustainable development. She has worked across the United Nations system, the European Parliament, and the International Organization for Migration, as well as in the private sector.

She is the Founder of Aspire Artemis Foundation, a global nonprofit advancing equity through STEAM education, mentorship, and inclusive innovation.

The post How Hermina Johnny Is Turning Global Policy Into Real Opportunity For The Next Generation appeared first on Good News!.

The digital economy loves to talk about innovation. It talks far less about access.

As artificial intelligence accelerates, tech valuations soar, and governments race toward digital transformation, one question sits uncomfortably beneath the headlines: Who is being prepared to participate—and who is being systematically left out?

Hermina Johnny is not interested in incremental change. She is interested in structural correction.

Born in Saint Lucia and shaped by years of living and working across the United States and Europe, Johnny has positioned herself at the intersection of education, economic strategy, and gender equity. As Founder and Executive Director of the Aspire Artemis Foundation, she is working to redesign the pipeline into science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM)—with a deliberate focus on girls and underrepresented communities.

And she is unapologetic about the stakes.

“Digital transformation without intentional inclusion doesn’t close gaps—it widens them.”

From Global Policy To Ground-Level Access

Johnny’s academic background spans international relations, economics, anthropology, and international law. She earned her undergraduate degree from Connecticut College and completed an LL.M. in International Law and International Relations in Brussels, later pursuing research in constitutionalism and fundamental rights.

But rather than remaining in policy circles, she moved toward execution.

Global development frameworks routinely articulate commitments to equity. Yet implementation often stalls at the structural level. Johnny saw that disconnect firsthand.

So she built an institution designed to close it.

Education As Economic Infrastructure

Through the Aspire Artemis Foundation, Johnny develops STEAM-focused leadership programs, global symposia, and digital literacy initiatives that go beyond exposure. The organization integrates arts into STEM disciplines—not as decoration, but as strategic design—training young people to think adaptively in a workforce defined by rapid change.

Her framing is deliberately economic.

STEAM education, she argues, is not a social side project. It is workforce architecture.

“If education isn’t treated as infrastructure, we shouldn’t be surprised when opportunity collapses under pressure.”

Under her leadership, the foundation has convened programming connected to international development discussions and United Nations–related venues, reinforcing a simple but disruptive thesis: innovation ecosystems that exclude women are economically inefficient.

The conversation, she insists, must shift from representation optics to structural preparation.

Encouragement is not a strategy. Infrastructure is.

Small States, Global Systems — And Female Leadership

Johnny’s work also challenges geographic bias in global innovation narratives. Participation in forums linked to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the UN General Assembly, and the ECOSOC Science, Technology and Innovation Forum places her within high-level policy discussions.

At the Fourth International Conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS4), debates centered on resilience and connectivity. For Johnny, the message was direct: small island nations cannot diversify their economies without digital capability.

And digital capability does not appear spontaneously. It is built—intentionally.

As a woman leader from a small island state, Johnny’s presence in these arenas disrupts two assumptions at once: that innovation leadership belongs to large economies, and that systems change is driven primarily by traditional power centers.

“Geography should not determine destiny. Neither should gender.”

Strategy Meets Execution

Before founding her nonprofit, Johnny built experience in business strategy and legal advisory work, including corporate and intellectual property matters. That foundation shapes her leadership style—analytical, cross-sector, and systems-focused.

But she refuses to operate solely at altitude.

She continues to teach and develop educational materials, maintaining direct engagement with learners. The result is rare: a leader equally fluent in boardroom strategy and classroom realities.

In conversations about women in technology, she pushes back against surface-level diversity narratives.

Representation without preparation, she argues, sets women up to enter systems that were never designed for them to succeed.

Structured pathways, market-aligned skills, mentorship networks, and institutional accountability are non-negotiable.

The Real Leadership Test

The digital economy disproportionately rewards early exposure and sustained access. Johnny’s work is built around intervening before exclusion calcifies into inevitability.

By positioning STEAM education as both an equity imperative and an economic growth strategy, she reframes inclusion not as charity—but as competitiveness.

In her view, the most dangerous myth in innovation culture is that talent naturally rises.

Talent rises when infrastructure supports it.

“The question isn’t whether women can lead in technology. The question is whether systems are willing to evolve fast enough to make room.”

In the expanding landscape of women in leadership, Hermina Johnny represents a category of leader that is increasingly impossible to ignore: not symbolic, not peripheral—but systemic.

She is not asking to be included in the digital economy.

She is helping decide who gets to build it.

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MissCaricom.org
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MCIFCEO@gmail.com

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Dear Friends,

I had the honor of delivering the 4^th FW de Klerk Annual Memorial Lecture in Cape Town, South Africa last week.

I was privileged to work with former South African President FW de Klerk at numerous Summits of Nobel Peace Laureates, an organization founded by President Mikhail Gorbachev which convenes Peace Laureates at extraordinary conferences on a regular basis and with which I am honored to serve as its Representative to the United Nations. I draw your attention to the Final Declarations, which contain expressions of collective wisdom and practicality. President de Klerk’s contributions were always substantive, terse, and clear.

We traveled together on a delegation hosted by Bahrain which the Global Security Institute helped coordinate. He demonstrated courage in his work to help end apartheid in South Africa and I observed his humility, and warmth wherever he went.

Ambassador Thomas Graham, a member of GSI’s Board of Directors was instrumental in the creation and signing of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty as the lead diplomat for the United States on the issue. His historic analysis is essential reading for anyone serious about understanding its creation and importance. The Treaty’s relationship to the stability of the nonproliferation regime and the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty is the focus of an in-depth, but short, study by  the European Leadership Network.

President Clinton’s characterization of the Treaty is succinct and accurate… “I was honored to be the first of 146 leaders to sign the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty, our commitment to end all nuclear tests for all time — the longest-sought, hardest-fought prize in the history of arms control. It will help to prevent the nuclear powers from developing more advanced and more dangerous weapons. It will limit the possibilities for other states to acquire such devices… Our common goal should be to enter the CTBT into force as soon as possible, and I ask for all of you to support that goal.” Note also quotes from Presidents Eisenhower and Kennedy on the subject.

You might also enjoy my thoughts regarding the recent apparent order by President Trump to resume nuclear testing and U.S. votes on this subject in the UN General Assembly, addressed in a syndicated article by the Inter Press Service. My quotes are outstanding in their unique grammatical awkwardness, unnecessary loquaciousness, exemplifying an overly pedantic series of run-on sentences, which in summary strongly urge against the resumption of testing and emphasize the need for cooperation to address an abundance of threats to us all.

On 21 November, I will address the third Annual Digital Power of Women Conference. This distinguished event powerfully advances much-needed gender balance. I hope you can join virtually.

GSI Advisory Board Member Honorable Douglas Roche’s very personal article Creative Dissent: A Politician’s Struggle for Peace merits a serious quiet read. It is inspiring because it reveals the character of one of the most effective, wise, and passionate advocates for nuclear disarmament and human security of our time.

With Respect,

Jonathan Granoff,

President, Global Security Institute

EVENTS

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The post We, The World Remembers Dr. Jane Goodall – Messenger of Peace, Champion of People, Animals and the Planet – Longtime Friend, Supporter of We, The World and Launch Partner of 11 Days of Global Unity – Extended Interview – #Urgency4Action appeared first on Good News!.

Dear Friends and Members,

Pray, all is well.

Please Click on This 55 Years of Earth Day New Press Release below

55 years of Earth Day

Press Release

OUR EARTH DAY EVENT FOR APRIL 22, 2025, IN TIMES SQUARE IS GOING GREAT AS YOU CAN SEE IN THE RELEASE, BUT WE DON’T HAVE THE FUNDS TO PAY FOR ALL ITS GREATNESS AND IMPORTANCE…WE ARE DOING A NETWORK QUALITY NONPROFIT BROADCAST WITH A COMMUNITY TV BUDGET THAT ALSO ISN’T EASY TO RAISE! Paul

We know times are uncertain for EVERYONE, and we are asking for a little help $10.00 or less or MORE! for our 23^RD ANNUAL CONCERTS FOR MOTHER EARTH & PEACE DAY. LOVE YOUR MOTHER, OUR POWER, OUR PLANET. PAUSE THE WORLD CONCERTS, EXHIBITION, AND CELEBRATION ON 4/22/25

Your nonprofit donation will be blessed by MOTHER EARTH, and your tax write-off will be used 100% for the production. WE APPRECIATE YOU, and our broadcast is UP-BEAT, NOT BEAT UP…WE SHARE THE GOOD NEWS HAPPENING FOR MOTHER EARTH.

Here is where you go for the Go Fund Me Earth Day Outreach, as we need $3,500 or more….

GoFundMe information is here:

https://gofund.me/64d5b5e9

You also can go to and possibly win a trip to the Montauk Manor:  https://goodnewsplanet.com/pausetheworld/peace-day-donations/

Paul Sladkus addresses

the 69th session of

the United Nations

Commission on the

Status of Women on

March 11, 2025

WE NEED YOU AND EVERYONE TO CARE ABOUT MOTHER EARTH.

Once again, Earth Day is going well, but we still have an opportunity for the right SUSTAINABLE PRESENTING SPONSORS/DONORS and more NEW PARTNERS to show the strength of those doing good work for MOTHER EARTH. So if you know anyone, any company who can benefit from being on our Times Square Stage and having a table to share their Good News, please let us know asap, as our event is on April 22, 2025. Please put it on your calendar. 

Here is our NEW PARTNERS OPPORTUNITY and Our 2025 Donor and Marketing Presentation:

New Partners Proposal-

February 18, 2025

2025 Earth & Water & Peace Day

Donor Presentation

Lastly, if you care about your money, please tune in to WOR 710 Radio on Sunday at 10:30 AM. Here you can listen and call in to Legal Expert and Elder Care Lawyer, 14 Year NYS Representative and Dr. Phil, ET, Good Morning America…Guest Lawyer, Ann-Margaret Carrozza, ESQ. 

Ann is BRILLIANT, AND YOUR MONEY IS BRILLIANT, AND YOU ARE BRILLIANT IF YOU ARE SMART ENOUGH TO PROTECT IT.

Paul Sladkus is Ann’s Co-Host. Email me paul.sladkus1@gmail.com if you want me to ask her a question, or just call in (800-321-0710) and listen; it might be one of the most important programs in you and your family’s life.

Ann-Margaret Carrozza,

Asset Protection Lawyer,

WOR 710 AM

CALL IN Radio

LIVE Every

Sunday at 1030am

STAY WELL

Please support our nonprofit, 501 C 3, Good News Corporation at http://goodnewsplanet.com/peacedayparty/peace-day-donations/

LET’S GROW TOGETHER. GOOD NEWS MOTTO: “All we are is what we are with each other.” Zeal 

With Respect. Love and May Peace Prevail on Earth,  For Information Contact: 

Reverend Paul Sladkus, All Faiths and Spiritual,

Founder, Good News Corporation 501 C 3 212 647 1212 paul.sladkus1@gmail.com  and our Good News and Peace Worldwide Team who make our Peace Day 9/21 happen.

www.pausetheworldforpeace.org,www.goodnewsplanet.TV, www.youtube.com/goodnewsbroadcast

Social Networks: www.Facebook.com/PaulSladkus, LinkedIn Paul Sladkus, Twitter/X Good News to Go, Instagram PausetheWorld

LET’S GROW TOGETHER. GOOD NEWS MOTTO: ALL WE ARE IS WHAT WE ARE WITH EACH OTHER. ZEAL

For more information contact: 

Reverend Paul Sladkus, All Faiths and Spiritual 212 647 1212

New York, NY, Montauk, NY

PS – SPECIAL OPPORTUNITY FOR OUR FRIENDS AND MEMBERS: Looking for a vacation rental, SHORT TERM, in Montauk, here is our listing https://pausetheworldforpeace.org/2025/03/13/45000-2br-one-of-a-kind-summer-rental-opportunty-historic-montauk-manor-montauk/  call me. Paul 917 687 1790

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To paraphrase, most of us spend our lives hanging on for dear life to the old until something calls us to let go and take a leap of faith into the unknown. It can be terrifying, yet we know we must release our hold on the past (the old trapeze bar) and soar across the vast void of unknowing to reach the new one.

We may feel scared, excited, vulnerable, unsure of ourselves, confused, or disoriented, but this is where the real change happens… When feeling unsure of ourselves, we can reject our rigid thinking and make new choices that may bring unexpected benefits. As we give ourselves permission to hang out in this transition between trapeze bars, we learn to fly!

A good affirmation to say each day is “My life is filled with new opportunities, and it is safe for me to learn new things.”

As we move into the last few weeks of 2024 I invite you to spend some time looking back on what 2024 was about for you. Just BE present with what is. We are moving into 2025-a year of major change, right now we are in the growing pains of this shift of consciousness.

WORK WITH BARBARA

With just 21 days left in 2024, let’s make them count. Together, we’ll reflect on the lessons of this past year and prepare for the higher vibrational energy of 2025.

Personal Intuitive Readings & Rituals
Gain clarity, release old patterns, and align with your purpose. Gift certificates are available for the perfect holiday gift.

Barbara’s Magical Aromatherapy
Enhance your rituals or give the gift of sacred scents this season. Shop Here >>

Readings: Gain insights and clarity into your path ahead through personalized readings tailored to your spiritual journey. Available either in person or via Zoom. Book Now for clarity and guidance!

Rituals: Participate in ancient and modern rituals and ceremonies designed to align your energies and awaken your inner power. Learn More to embrace transformative rituals!

Energy and Space Clearings: Release stagnant energies and embrace rejuvenation with transformative energy cleansing sessions, both personally and for your home or office.

Corporate Events and Speaking Engagements:

• Empower your organization with practical tools for well-being, resilience, and inspiration.
• Elevate your team’s mental wellness, emotional intelligence, and performance with engaging talks and workshops.
• Download my one-sheet for more information on booking me as your catalyst for change!

Private Events:

• Make your celebrations extraordinary with personalized ceremonies and special touches.
• Contact our office to discuss how I can make your special occasion truly memorable!

Let’s step into 2025 consciously and powerfully. Book your session today and start the new year aligned and empowered.

UPCOMING EVENTS

I will be doing a few events early January to prepare you for Vision 2025. Stay tuned for dates!

Tuesday, December 10th: In-Person End-of-Year Celebration: Rituals to End the Year Consciously with Special Guest Astrologer Rebecca Gordon
6:30 – 8:30 PM
At Knosis: 7 West 22nd St, 8th Floor, NYC

Join me and special guest astrologer Rebecca Gordon as we close out 2024 with ritual, reflection, and wisdom to guide us into 2025.

REGISTER HERE

Sunday, December 29th: Spiritual Practices and Rituals to Open Up for 2025
2:00 PM
Unity of NY: St Michael’s Recital Hall, 225 West 99th St (NYC)

Free Attendence

Saturday, January 4th: Rituals for the New Year
2:00 – 4:00 PM
The New Center of Holistic Learning, NYC: 135 West 15th St
Save the Date

VISION WORSHOPS FOR 2025:
Shape Your Destiny

I invite you to join me for VISION 2025, an in-person retreat designed to help you create, manifest, and transform your life while aligning with a shared vision for a brighter, more unified world.

Imagine a weekend immersed in spiritual teachings, astrology, powerful rituals, vision boarding, and movement—all crafted to connect you with your highest potential and a community of kindred spirits committed to making a difference.

This isn’t just a personal journey; it’s an opportunity to co-create a collective future built on clarity, connection, collaboration, and purpose.

January 10 – 11th: VISION 2025 in Malibu
Friday 5:00 – 7:30pm and Saturday 11am – 4pm

REGISTER HERE

January 24 – 25th: VISION 2025 in NYC
Friday 6:30 – 9:00pm and Saturday 10:30am – 5pm

REGISTER HERE

These transformational gatherings will take place live (and possibly hybrid). I am looking for help to do the live stream so please contact us if you are interested in helping: info@barbarabiziou.com.

BARBARA RECOMMENDS

SoHarmoniums 2024 Winter Concert!
MONDAY, DEC 16, 2024 8:00 PM

SoHarmoniums Women’s Choir will present its holiday concert this December at the beautiful Fourth Universalist Society in the City of New York. Experience the joy of the holiday season!

You can read all the details in the flier below, or learn more and get tickets on the website. OR TO LIVESTREAM, click HERE.

Link

With love and light,
Barbara

Barbara Biziou Productions LLC
(212) 741-3358
Barbara@BarbaraBiziou.com
www.BarbaraBiziou.com
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